New Twitter 'direct message' option added

Twitter users will soon be able to receive direct messages from any Follower, even if the Follow hasn't been reciprocated. But don't panic, Twitter has left the decision to open up direct messages in users' hands.

Until now, direct messages on Twitter have been restricted. To receive a direct message you must be a Follower of the account it's sent from. Not any more. Twitter has changed the way direct messaging words, a move that some will feel increases engagement but others may feel will clog up their inbox with unwanted messages.

But fear not, the new setting isn't a default. Twitter users can choose to receive direct messages from people they are not Following by tweaking their account settings.

The general consensus is that the changes to direct messaging on Twitter, which are being gradually rolled out from this week, are more for the benefit of businesses and brands who will not be able to receive messages from their large numbers of Followers.

The changes to direct messages come after another privacy feature was introduced earlier this year - Protected Tweets. Using the feature enables Twitter users to customize the audience for their Tweets.